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Taking a cooking class is a must while you’re in Bali, so we were super excited to check out this top-rated class in Ubud!
We were looking for a fun cooking class that would allow us to make (and eat!) a ton of different dishes, and the tour that we did definitely delivered. So if you’re looking for an authentic local cooking class that will leave you absolutely stuffed, keep on reading for our full review.
We’ll share what we did and didn’t like about the tour, and help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
What cooking class in Ubud did we do?
We did this private cooking class in Ubud, and there are a few reasons why we chose it.
First and foremost, it’s the top-rated cooking class in not just Ubud, but the whole of Bali! Not only does it have almost 500 5-star reviews, but it has exclusively 5-star reviews. This is practically unheard of for a tour with this many reviews, so we knew that it had to be good.
We were also drawn to this class because it’s a private experience. We had done a group cooking class before, but we were keen to try out a private class so that we would benefit from 1:1 instruction, and really get to know our hosts. At $78 USD per person, it was a little pricier than some group tours, but still competitively priced for a private experience.
Then, once we saw the menu, we were sold! From chicken satay and fried tempeh to spicy sambal and local beers, we knew we were in for a treat.
Book the same cooking class we loved right here!
What I loved about the class
Amazing Teacher (Putu)
We can’t say enough nice things about Putu! She was such a warm and welcoming host and a great teacher who gave clear instructions that were easy to follow. Putu also gave us a tour of her family’s orchard and even their private temple, which gave us a glimpse into local life for the Balinese people. At the end of the tour, Putu even gave us snacks for the road, which was so sweet of her!
Private tour
The fact that this was a private tour meant that we got to be super hands-on with all stages of the cooking process and learned how to make more dishes than in a typical group class, without feeling rushed at all.
Although we didn’t have any specific dietary requirements, we also like the fact that because this is a private class, the menu can be tailored to you! So if you’re vegan, have allergies, or just can’t cope with a lot of spice, just let Putu know beforehand and she’ll adjust the menu accordingly to ensure that you don’t miss out.
Included drinks
Who doesn’t love free beer? We got a couple of local beers to wash down our food, which made the meal even better! We were also able to try jamu, which is a special Balinese health tonic. Putu makes her own jamu with medicinal herbs from our family’s garden, so this stuff was the real deal!
Cooked 5 courses
We made SO much food in this class! Not only that, but every dish that we made was unique and required a different set of cooking skills, so we really got to flex our culinary muscles.
We got a great overview of what Balinese cuisine is all about and tried some new dishes that we hadn’t heard of before. And since we cooked five courses, we also got to eat five courses – yum!
Loved all the food
I love Balinese food anyway, but it’s easy to get comfortable and stick to the same few dishes when eating out, so this class was a great opportunity to try some different things.
Putu shared her traditional family recipes with us, and we made them all with herbs and ingredients grown by her family, so everything that we made and ate was so delicious and flavorful! I think the tempeh was my favorite but honestly, it’s a close call because it was all so good.
Clean kitchen
Putu’s outdoor kitchen was absolutely spotless! All of the equipment and cutlery was sparkling clean, and everything was very well organized. It’s clear that Putu takes a lot of pride in her kitchen, which only makes us love her even more!
Visit to authentic village and home
Putu’s cooking class takes place in her family’s compound home, which is in a small, local village just outside of Ubud, where tourists don’t tend to venture. It was really cool going into the village and seeing a more authentic side of Balinese life.
When we arrived, Putu gave us a tour of the compound, where her family has lived for generations. We even got to meet her grandparents, husband, and children, who were all so lovely and welcoming!
Use of seasonal ingredients from Putu’s garden
Pretty much everything used in the cooking class comes from Putu’s garden! She actually took us into the garden to show us all of her herbs and vegetables and showed us how to pick the best ingredients. This is a true farm-to-table cooking class, which makes it even more authentic!
You can choose your spice level
It’s no secret that Balinese food can be pretty spicy, but since this is a private class, you can choose the spice level you’re comfortable with. This is perfect for those who are sensitive to spice! It also meant that I could make a sambal that suited my spice level, whereas the sambal at Balinese restaurants is usually super hot and I have to be very sparing with it!
Ready to book? Grab your spot on this cooking class here for FREE cancellation!
Related Read: For an amazing overview of Ubud, check out our review of the best Ubud tour to sightsee!
What I didn’t like about the class
Transport
For me, there was only one downside to this cooking class, and it was that we weren’t able to get transport included! There’s complimentary pickup in Ubud, but since we were staying a little out of town, we had to get a taxi there. But honestly, this wasn’t a big deal at all, I’m just nitpicking!
What did the cooking class include/not include?
As mentioned, the tour didn’t include transport for us, but it would have if we had stayed more centrally. Apart from that, everything else was included. We didn’t have to bring anything, and when we arrived at Putu’s home, all of the ingredients and equipment were ready for us.
As well as tons of food, we also got a few complimentary beers and some of her homemade jamu.
Would I do this cooking class again?
Yes, in a heartbeat. We absolutely loved it! It was by far the best cooking lesson we have done in Bali, and we came away with huge smiles on our faces, as well as full bellies.
Putu is a wonderful host and the food that we ate on the tour was some of the best we’ve ever had in Bali, so we really can’t recommend this tour enough!
Book the best cooking class in Ubud right here!
Related Read: Keep exploring Ubud with our list of the best activities in Ubud – we have 28 ideas!
Where to Stay in Ubud
Ubud is a great place to stay in Bali because of its stellar views. From luxury resorts to budget-friendly hotels, it’s not hard to find a nice vacation spot. But it can be hard to choose! We’ve narrowed it down to our top picks for every budget, including the hotel we stayed at and loved (hint – it’s the Abipraya Hotel!).
TheWakanda Resort – A Prama Experience – $$$
If you’re looking for out-and-out luxury, TheWakanda Resort has luxe suites and standalone villas with rice field views that seem to stretch for miles, until they meet the jungle. We think that this would be perfect for a romantic stay in Ubud! There’s also an on-site spa and a yoga studio that hosts classes every other day, and the staff here are really willing to go the extra mile for you.
Suites are typically around $300 USD, but we’ve seen closer to $200 USD outside of peak season. We’ve found the best deals booking in advance online.
Gynandha Ubud Cottage – $$
In Bali, staying at a mid-range place usually means you get a lot of bang for your buck, and Gynandha Ubud Cottage is a prime example of this. The rooms are big and beautifully decorated, the bathrooms will make you feel like you’re in a spa, and there’s a pretty, split-level waterfall pool for guests to use.
This property is just a few minutes’ walk from the town center, but is still super peaceful and offers beautiful rice field views for around $150-$200 USD per night. Reserve a room in advance with Booking.com.
Abipraya – $
We stayed at Abipraya, which was super quiet and nestled into a tropical garden, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main town. The location was ideal for us and we loved the big swimming pool overlooking the rice fields, as well as the open and airy feel that the rooms had.
Prices start at around $50 USD per night, which includes breakfast, so it was a really good budget option. Book Abipraya here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
This cooking class in Ubud was one of our favorite experiences on our most recent trip! We ate so much amazing food, learned a few new skills, and got to hang out with an amazing chef and host – Putu. We hope to do this class again someday and I know you’ll love it as much as we did!
I’ve been coming to Bali since I was a kid, so I have lots of tips and advice on vacationing here you won’t find anywhere else. Have a look through our Bali blogs for more travel inspiration or check out the ones below!
12 Best Tours in Ubud that Made us Fall in Love with Bali!
10 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest